West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-09-29
A NOBLE VICTORY

FROM THE GERMAN by I.v. STIR.
The waves break on the shore of the
North Sea. a sharp wind from the north
sweeps over the surface. driving the
waves high before il. On their crests
rises and sinks the white foam. How
the water surges forward as if IL would
rush far into the land. But again and
again 1t retreats from the white sand
only to return in haste the next morning.
On the shore lies stretched out the vi
lage OF Husom. Every little house stands
oy itself, often separated from its neiah
Dor by wide space Of perhaps fifty feet
which is generally made into n oarlen
In which a few feeble plants draw n
scanty nOurishment from the ground
With no less difficulty do the Inhabitants
Oh Husom manage 10 get their living
1hey are all fishermen, and the sea
thelr real home, on which they 90 out for
miles TO cast their nets. When the sun
SHINES on smooth surface il is nm ex-
hllarating occupation, but when a sud
den storm springs up while the boats are
iar1rom land and fog settles down upon
the water like broad, heavy mantle.
then one underst nds how hard are the
conditions and the perpetual danger at
tending the labor by which these men
earn their bread
The sea runs high and most of the
boats have pulled in to land Two men
are stlll.wqrhing to save their property
~ IN the same way. They are both Young.
large, vigorous men, with sunburned
iaceS and toil-hardened hands.
Az iast their boat, too, rests on the
snoIe hrmly secured. LIARS" said one
OF the men, strengthening up and but
lODlnU a
herce bow, tonight"
The other nodded. 'Tt is lucky that
none of us are out -
Meanwhile they have started home
ward, and stride along tooether in
silence. The only street of the villaoe ;s
quiet IL IS dark, here and there faint
light cleaning from a little window.
lhey are passing small house. and
almost as if by secret agreement tbey
approach and glance through the liobted
window to the inside. An old man with
white hair and beard sits i'm n LARGE arm
ehalr his head has fallen forward ON his
breast-a picture of the life fast sinking
TO rest. At the table, on the opposite
SIDE, sits, in bright contrast. Vouno
giri, sewing-0 fresh, lovely face. with
round, rosy checks, and luxuriant fair
halr' Katie Mason is the prettiest girl i'm
the village, and the most industrious. ON
"hom many young fellow looks with
arnestglance. Early and late she IS
ouSy supporting herself and her aged
father by her own hands.
Inc loiterers at the window have
turned and gone on their way. At last
Lars sad Good night, Cristoph. and
crossed street to his home. He had heard
the reply to his & esting, aud now waited
anu listened, standing by the fence that
inclosed his little tact of ground. Girls.
ttoPh had not gone ON, but had turned
Dack-for whatl Lars felt misp WING.
re, too hastencd ack The wind drives
Iull in his face, but he does not heed il
now he hears Cristoph's steps before
MN, but cannot see, for il is very dark
there stands the little house where Katie
MASON lives. CTistoph stands by the win
DOW: Lars sees him plainly in the light
OF the lamp that falls upon him. lie
hears tap on the window, and now,
Cristoph has his hand on the door. and n
opens before him.
Thou, Cr.stophl What brings thee 80
later asked Katie, holding on to the
door which the storm was shaking
was passing and saw thee ttinQ, so
stopped to bid thee sleep WELL"
hand. i'S ''' i''i
The wind seized the door thus set free.
and flung it wide open against The wall.
But Cristoph using his strength. drew
the girl into the hall and closed the
door Lars grew hot under his coarse
Jacket; hot in spite Of the blustering
wind. He stepped close to the door and
heard speaking within, but could not
distinguish anything. He waited. his
heart Tiled with the panRs of iellouslv
How long he stood he knew not: IL
seemed an eternity 10 him At last the
door opened and Cristoph stepped out.
sleep well, dear girl, he whispered
'6ood-by, dear Cristoph The KEY
was turned in the lock Cristoph went
home, the Joy Of love requited in his
heart. The other, too, turned home
ward, but a long time passed before he
reached the little house.
They h grown up together Lars
Cn,toph and Katie. The three had
played together continually as children.
and Katie would be carried by no Others
or drawn on the sled by none but Lars or
Crstoph When they grew larger they
went to school together. and were con
hrmed together IN the little church of the
"NiS iiHk fiiIHHt. no strife uud ever
come between never had the Girl shown
whether She preferred one Of the lads or
the other. AS these developed into
strong men, Katie bloomed into still
greater beauty, as was apparent
70 other young men Of the vii
lage, and Rob stcGe had voutured
20 intimate as much, in rough
fashion, to the girl The following day
ms place in the boat was empty: he was
sick, his father said 'ho truth was Rob
would not show his discolorcd face
From that time the young fellows held
themselves aloOf from Katie Mason. But
between Lars and Cndoph the old init
macy began 70 gradually diminish. They
went with Kat her FIRST dance. Who
should be her first partner2 They dis
puted long over 10, out of the oirrs
hearing and at lat. with heated faces
appealed TO her TO choose between them.
Katie looked at them, and for the Grst
time felt % misgvng that if She choose
one thc other would bc deeply hurt So
she said 'It makes no difference TO
noe which I dance with FIRST, but 10 80 IS